ratatouille
GOURMET JUNE 1991
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 onion, sliced thin
2 garlic cloves, minced
5 tablespoons olive oil
a 3/4-pound eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
1 small zucchini, scrubbed, quartered lengthwise, and cut into thin slices
1 red bell pepper, chopped
3/4 pound small ripe tomatoes, chopped coarse (about 1 1/4 cups)
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
1/8 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shredded fresh basil leaves
preparation
In a large skillet cook the onion and the garlic in 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons oil and heat it over moderately high heat until it is hot but not smoking. Add the eggplant and cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes, or until the eggplant is softened. Stir in the zucchini and the bell pepper and cook the mixture over the moderate heat, stirring occasionally, for 12 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Stir in the oregano, the thyme, the coriander, the fennel seeds, the salt, and pepper to taste and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the basil and combine the mixture well. The ratatouille may be made 1 day in advance, kept covered and chilled, and reheated before serving.
Caponata
By Martha Rose Shulman
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016445-caponata
Ingredients
Yield: Serves 6 to 8
1½pounds eggplant (1 large), roasted
2tablespoons olive oil
1medium onion, chopped
2stalks celery, from the inner, tender stalks (the heart), diced
3large garlic cloves, minced
2red bell peppers, diced
Salt to taste
1pound ripe tomatoes, preferably romas, peeled, seeded and finely chopped, or 1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes (in puree)
3heaped tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
3tablespoons coarsely chopped pitted green olives
2tablespoons plus a pinch of sugar
3tablespoons red or white wine vinegar or sherry vinegar (more to taste)
freshly ground pepper to taste
Preparation
Step 1
Roast the eggplant, allow to cool and chop coarsely.
Step 2
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet and add the onion and celery. Cook, stirring, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes, and add the garlic. Cook together for a minute, until the garlic begins to smell fragrant, and add the peppers and ½ teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring, until just about tender, about 8 minutes. Add another tablespoon of oil and the eggplant, and stir together for another 5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. The eggplant will fall apart, which is fine. Season to taste.
Step 3
Add the tomatoes to the pan with about ½ teaspoon salt and a pinch of sugar. Cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan often, for 5 to 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have cooked down somewhat and they smell fragrant. Add the capers, olives, remaining sugar, and vinegar. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, for 20 to 30 minutes, until the vegetables are thoroughly tender and the mixture is quite thick, sweet, and fragrant. Season to taste with salt and pepper and remove from the heat. Allow to cool to room temperature. If possible, cover and chill overnight. Serve at room temperature.
Eggplant Salad with Parsley and Lemon
Gourmet September 1995
Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium eggplant (about 1 pound), cut into 1-inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
4 romaine leaves
Preparation
In a large non-stick skillet heat 2 tablespoons oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté eggplant and onion with salt, stirring occasionally, until eggplant is browned well. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add water and cook, covered, until eggplant is tender, about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in parsley, lemon juice, remaining tablespoon oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Chill salad 15 minutes, or until ready to serve.
Serve salad on romaine.
Garlicky Roasted Beets, Leeks and Eggplant
Recipe by scaron
Ingredients
1 bunch leeks, halved, washed well and cut into 2 inch chunks
1 bunch beets, washed and cut into 1 inch chunks
1eggplant, cut into 1 inch chunks
6 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
2tablespoon olive oil
sea salt and pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Line a baking sheet with nonstick aluminum foil (or heavy duty aluminum foil spayed with cooking oil spray).
Combine the leeks, beets, eggplant and garlic on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir well.
Bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove from the oven and stir well. Return to the oven and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
Transfer to a bowl and serve immediately.
Eggplant, Heirloom Tomato, and Buffalo Mozzarella Stacks
Serves four.
by Melissa Pellegrino from Fine Cooking
Issue 106
Fresh mozzarella is great at soaking up flavors; in this recipe it’s enlivened by olive oil infused with thyme, marjoram, and lemon. One of the best things about this quick dish is that it works as a light lunch or as an appetizer.
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp. chopped fresh marjoram
1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
12 (1/4-inch-thick) slices heirloom tomatoes (from 3 to 4 medium) 8 (1/4-inch-thick) slices eggplant (from 1 medium eggplant)
2 balls buffalo mozzarella (5 to 7 oz. each), cut into 8 slices
Prepare a medium-high gas or charcoal grill fire. In a medium bowl, mix the olive oil, thyme, marjoram, lemon zest, red pepper flakes (if using), 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper.
Brush the tomato and eggplant slices with 1 Tbs. of the herb oil. Season with 1/4 tsp. salt and a few grinds of pepper. Marinate the mozzarella in the remaining oil.
Grill the eggplant, flipping once, until nicely browned and tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
To serve, put a tomato slice on four plates. Top each with a slice of eggplant, then a slice of mozzarella. Repeat, ending with a tomato slice. Drizzle with any remaining oil and serve.
Serving Suggestions
Keep it fast and fresh: Serve with an Arugula Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette.
Eggplant Croquettes
Ingredients:
2 medium eggplants, peeled and cubed
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons dried parsley
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup vegetable oil for frying
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions:
1. Place eggplant in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on medium-high 3 minutes. Turn eggplant over and microwave another 2 minutes. The eggplant should be tender, cook another 2 minutes if the eggplants are not tender. Drain any liquid from the eggplants and mash. 2. Combine cheese, bread crumbs, eggs, parsley, onion, garlic and salt with the mashed eggplant. Mix well. 3. Shape the eggplant mixture into patties. Heat oil in a large skillet. Drop eggplant patties one at a time into skillet. Fry each side of the patties until golden brown, approximately 5 minutes on each side. Patties can be frozen before frying and cooked later.
Ratatouille
Ingredients
1/4 cup olive oil, plus more as needed
1 1/2 cups small diced yellow onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 cups medium diced eggplant, skin on
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 cup diced green bell peppers
1 cup diced red bell peppers
1 cup diced zucchini squash
1 cup diced yellow squash
1 1/2 cups peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes
1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Set a large 12-inch saute pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the onions and garlic to the pan. Cook the onions, stirring occasionally, until they are wilted and lightly caramelized, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the eggplant and thyme to the pan and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant is partially cooked, about 5 minutes. Add the green and red peppers, zucchini, and squash and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, basil, parsley, and salt and pepper, to taste, and cook for a final 5 minutes. Stir well to blend and serve either hot or at room temperature
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/the-essence-of-emeril/ratatouille-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback
Baba Ganoush
Eight servings
I like my Baba Ganoush super-smoky, and leave the eggplants on the stovetop for a good ten minutes, but for most people, that’s probably too much. Five or so minutes, until the skin gets a bit charred, is probably right for most “normal” folks. If you have smoked salt, you can use that to give it another hit of smoked flavor, too.
Sometimes I add a pinch of ground cumin. If you do, please just add just a bit. Baba Ganoush shouldn’t taste predominantly of cumin, which can quickly overwhelm.
3 medium-sized eggplants
1/2 cup (130g) tahini (sesame paste)
1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt
3 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
1/8 teaspoon chile powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
a half bunch picked flat-leaf parsley or cilantro leaves
1. Preheat the oven to 375F (190C).
2. Prick each eggplant a few times, then char the outside of the eggplants by placing them directly on the flame of a gas burner and as the skin chars, turn them until the eggplants are uniformly-charred on the outside. (If you don’t have a gas stove, you can char them under the broiler. If not, skip to the next step.)
3. Place the eggplants on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, until they’re completely soft; you should be able to easily poke a paring knife into them and meet no resistance.
4. Remove from oven and let cool.
5. Split the eggplant and scrape out the pulp. Puree the pulp in a blender or food processor with the other ingredients until smooth.
6. Taste, and season with additional salt and lemon juice, if necessary. Serve drizzle with olive oil, perhaps some herbs and with crackers, sliced baguette, or toasted pita chips for dipping.
Storage: Baba Ganoush can be made and refrigerated for up to five days prior to serving.
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2008/07/baba-ganosh/
Summer Nights Eggplants
Ingredients:
2 large eggplants
1/2 cup olive oil for frying
2 medium onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 small tomatoes, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste
4 cups dry bread crumbs
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
Directions:
1. Remove the leaves from the eggplants, and slice in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the centers of the eggplants, leaving a half-inch shell so they resemble 'canoes'. Cut the center portion into small pieces, and set aside. 2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and saute for a few minutes, until tender. Add the eggplant pieces, and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Then, stir in the tomato, green pepper, and parsley. Simmer for about 10 minutes. 4. Remove from the heat, and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the bread crumbs until evenly blended. Divide the mixture evenly between the four eggplant shells. Sprinkle feta cheese over the top. Place the eggplant halves on a baking sheet. 5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the tops are browned and the cheese is melted. Serve hot or cold. I prefer them chilled.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/summer-nights-eggplants/